Andrew Tong | Triathlon coaching » Standard Distance

Noosa Triathlon

Tongy — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:27:23 +0000

Earlier this year I was approached by two tentative people, who had just signed up for their first Olympic distance triathlon and purchased their first road bikes.

Over the last 6 months Bec & Kerrie trained diligently, learnt many new skills (including how to pack bikes for travel and maintaining a bike) and faced their fears head on.

Leading up to the race Kerrie picked up a foot injury, which meant no running pre race. Both were ready and keen to race. They stuck to their race plan and when it came to the run Kerrie stayed strong and positive and achieved a good result, running keeping the injury at bay. Bec was feeling strong but was struck with food poising on the bike. Finishing the bike in a good time she pushed onto the run and soldiered on with the effects of the bug taking its impact, which impacted on the overall time. Needles to say it was a great effort for both of them to finish and I so suspect that it was due their diligent training and preparation that helped them triumph in the face of adversity. Well done I know you both are looking forward to your next races already.

Beijing ITU World Champs

Tongy — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:28:46 +0000

In September Emma ventured off to Beijing to represent team GB at the triathlon world championships. Initially it was in our plan to qualify for the worlds or Europeans in 2012, but when Emma qualified for this year what would you do but take the spot.

Obviously for a race of such importance and prestige you want to be at your best. The goal was to put in a PB type performance and on an unkown course and conditions it is hard to put too many specific and achievable targets that are not controlled by outside factors. As a coach I thought it would be nice to be in the top 10 for your age, but I never mentioned this goal. Looking at the profile of the course I did think that it played to Emma’s strengths and she would race well.

On race day Emma definitely pulled out that PB performance and came home 5th in age group. A brilliant race and everyone is ecstatic with the final result. To use her words “the coaching rocks”, although I would prefer to say Emma rocks!

Since returning from Beijing Emma raced the Fixed relays at Dorney, this is a team event where every member completes all 3 legs. Happy to say that Emma’s team with Parys and CJ all from Ful-on tri club took out the win for the fastest female team and 5th fastest team overall, this result included a 5min PB over last year from Emma. I am already looking forward to see what Emma can do in 2012.

London ITU Dextro Triathlon

Tongy — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:15:51 +0000

The previous weekend saw the final test event for the 2012 Olympic Triathlon venue in Hyde Park London. In the Elites it was not surprising to see a home win in the mens race for Alistair Brownlee and in the female race Helen Jenkins also won this for UK and pleasing to see her on top of the podium as she has been consistently at the top end of the race all season. Her consistency also showing in her current 4th ranking in the World Championship Series points.

From an Age group perspective, two very pleasing results with Parys being the fastest female age grouper overall, showing a nice to return to full fitness after injury & rehabilitation in the off season. Adding this victory to her Windsor Age group result in previous seasons, nice.

A more outstanding result was for Emma who took off a massive 10 minutes from last year and her previous pb and placing 3rd in age. This is a massive improvement over one season and showing that her fitness is peaking as she prepares for Beijing age group race next month. Great racing.

Budapest World Champs 2010

Tongy — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 04:13:11 +0000

The final race of the ITU world champs was held in Budapest over the weekend and this also culminated in the age group races for the world champs.

After a good couple of months of racing Simon raced in his age group for GB, whilst I am yet to find out overall placing, Simon has managed another PB for the year with a 2:01. Well done on achieving such an amazing time.

Antwerp 70.3 and Milton Keynes Races

Tongy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:45:18 +0000

Update on 2 really great results over the weekend

Simon raced Antwerp 70.3 treating the race with a view of “dipping the toe in the water” to try out some longer distance racing. All the training for the year has been tailored around Standard distance. Simon flew around the course in a sub 4:30 (4:28) and picked up a slot for the world champs in Clearwater along the way, well done

Eleanor went to race Milton Keynes standard distance after a great race at Upton just a couple of weeks ago. A major goal for the year was to get under the 2:30 mark for this distance, which was achieved with a time of 2:28 a new pb by around 8 minutes. To top the day off this great time also placed her 3rd in her age group. Well done

Upton Triathlon 2010

Tongy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:35:24 +0000

Well done to all those who Race Upton Tri recently, from all reports a great day and another great race, although the current of the river was not as strong this year as in previous years.

Special congratulations to both Eleanor who was 2nd female and 2nd in her age group and Tamsin who was 2nd in her age group both in the Standard Distance race. Great results Ladies.

Athlone – European Tri Championships

Tongy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:33:54 +0000

Congratulations to Simon who competed for GB in Athlone ETU championship race at the weekend. He achieved 13th in his age group and a new PB by 4minutes. A great achievement peaking for the right races. Well done.

Races Update

Tongy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:32:25 +0000

The Race season in the Northern Hemisphere is in full swing and I have been a little lax in updating progress of the team (too busy prescribing the training). I have also re commenced training the South West pod in Sydney for Can Too for the Blackmores running festival, we will always welcome more people if you want to train, we meet on Wednesday nights in Liverpool and Saturday mornings in Georges Hall.

Due to my delay in updating results below is a summary of recent performances

Eleanor, had a good start to the season with Thames Turbo sprint 1 posting a pb by 3 minutes and has dabbled in a few cycling events, most notably a 50mile TT, where she was second female overall

Ellen, recently competed in the UK middle distance champs at Bala, however treating this as a training racing looking to her full distance tri. It was a good result also considering that for many of the competitors this was a major race on their calendar. What was most impressive was that Ellen posted the fastest run time of the day for females and the 22^nd fastest run time overall.

Jackie, raced Liverpool standard distance, posting a 9^th in her age and a swimming PB she is aiming for faster times over the coming months

John, after being plagued by injury for a few months, but with the help of some medical advancements in treating Achilles problems, was able to race Austria 70.3, achieving a PB and raced Royal Windsor standard distance achieving a pb of 13minutes. I think one of Johns goals for the remainder of this year is to stay injury free and be able to race fully fit.

Parys, raced her first middle distance tri in Switzerland 70.3, coming 9^th in her age. A great result for the first attempt.

Richard, also raced Austria 70.3, carrying a slight strain to the hamstring was given the all clear to race conservatively and managed to achieve a PB, narrowly missing out on sub 5hrs.

Simon, raced the Dambuster standard distance tri. A pleasing performance almost attainging a PB, with a blistering run on what is not considered to be a fast course and is looking forward to the ETU champs in Athlone. Simon also competed in the Crystal Palace sprint Tri, improving on last years time by 1 minute and coming 2nd vet.

Tamsin, raced Switzerland 70.3, coming 11^th in her age, but more importantly improved by a massive 30minutes on last year, well done.

It is always pleasing when people race to their potential, with most of the team improving at every race and showing signs of improvements for the remainder of the season.

ITU World Champs Gold Coast 2009

Tongy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:51:48 +0000

I was fortunate to go to the Gold Coast to watch the world champs, I have attached video clips of Alistair Brownlee and Emma Moffatt crossing the finish line to become World Champions.

Both races were exciting to watch with the World Champions putting the results beyond doubt by winning their final races of the series.

Jackie completes her first Standard Distance Tri

Tongy — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:59:14 +0000

I always get great satisfaction when an athlete achieves their targets. Some months ago Jackie advised me that she was contemplating increasing her race distance from sprint to standard but was uncertain about if she could do this and the time it would take her to complete the distance. I was naturally excited with the prospect of Jackie stepping up and had every confidence that she would do well. I also understood the nervousness as all triathletes at some stage have made a leap out of their comfort zone and pushed themselves further than in the past. This can be by entering your first triathlon or taking on a harder challenge.

Once I knew of Jackie’s desire to complete this distance I encouraged her to enter the race so that she was committed and adjusted her training accordingly. The initial goal for this race was to finish, in a time of around 3hrs, I quietly was targeting for Jackie to go sub 3hours and a stretch target of 2:45.

Jackie raced Tatton Park last Sunday and completed it in a time of 2:45, placing 7th in her age group, an excellent result for her first Standard Distance. I am not sure if Jackie’s feet have hit the ground yet, as she is ecstatic with this result. Well done Jackie.